Warrant Issued For Russian Businessman

Sergei Polonsky

An international arrest warrant has been issued for controversial Russian businessman Sergei Polonsky.

Moscow Judge Aleksei Krivoruchko issued the warrant in connection with fraud charges against Polonsky.

Polonsky's lawyer, Diana Tatosova, said her client was in Israel for a meeting at the country's Interior Ministry regarding his citizenship application.

Polonsky faces arrest if he returns to Russia, where he is accused of being involved in an embezzlement scheme.

Polonsky is well-known for eccentric public statements and actions in recent years.

In 2011, he made headlines after prominent media magnate Aleksandr Lebedev punched him during a television program.

Last year, Polonsky and two associates were arrested in Cambodia and charged with beating sailors.

Polonsky spent three months in detention there and later fled to Israel.

Based on reporting by Interfax and ITAR-TASS